Its True
my grandmother younger brother Rnzaf was mid upper gunner on liberator KH277, 385 squadron RAF " special duties" based at Bengal India
Transcribed from the National Archives Records, Kew
Air 27/1765-1769
Draft No. 0 (as typed)
August, 2010
22 I. Operations.
Operational Order No. 2. – 11 aircraft detailed for S.D. Operations over Indo-
China, and took off at intervals from 1430 hours. A/c. 'T' 350 F/O. Robinson,
and A/c. 'Q' 367 F/O. Murray landed at Jessore on return. Three aircraft, 'K'
215, F/Lt. K. H. Brailsford, 'Z' 277 S/L. A. S. M. Pim and 'W' 278 F/Lt. S. D.
Mayhew, and crews did not return to base. Weather at Base was good but
crews ran into adverse conditions, heavy rain and 10/10ths cloud over D.Zs.
only 2 aircraft 'A' W/Cdr. Farr and 'G' F/O. Davison succeeded in locating
targets and dropping their loads. Others brought back loads to base.
III – Personnel.
Missing Personnel.
A/c. 'K' 215
F/L. K. H. Brailsford. Capt. (139520)
F/O. W. Russell. (J.27639) RCAF. 2nd P.
W/O. G. A. O'Toole (1550901) Nav.
P/O. L. Blick (178370) B/A.
W/O. J. R. Swain (1183127) 1.WOP.
358 Squadron January 1945
9
Sgt. J. G?. Gibbs (1338318) 2.WOP.
W/O. W. Lear (1339360) M.Up.Gnr.
P/O. R. J. Wilson (54992) Rear Gnr.
A/c. 'Z' 277
A/S/Ldr. A. S. M. Pim (60566) Capt.
F/Sgt. J. H. Holt (1522039) 2nd.P.
F/Sgt. E. C. Hearn (1595199) Nav.
F/O. W. J. Wallace (149990) B/A.
F/O. E. Clarke (149915) 1.WOP.
Sgt. G. Gittins (1458467) 2.WOP.
F/S. S. E. Sadler (NZ.425047) M.Up.Gnr.
Sgt. J. Robinson (976439) Rear Gnr.
A/c. 'W' 278
F/Lt. S. D. Mayhew (63404) Capt.
W/O. N. C. Kames? (1385163) 2nd.P.
F/Sgt. W. C. Roberts (656237) Nav.
P/O. J. Hughes (164129) B/A.
Sgt. V. Butt (1800854) 1.WOP.
F/O. J. A. Schmidt (Aus.434671) (RAAF) 2.WOP.
Sgt. J. R. Perry (1622796) M.Up.Gnr.
Sgt. E. W. Moore (1699162) Rear Gnr.
form 501
Route:- A/C "G" and "A" Base-2258N9442E-2203N9845E-2018N10010E-D.Z. -2018N10010E-
2203N9845E-2258N9442E-Base.
A/C "Z" and "C" Base-2258N9442E-2254N9840E-2234N10222E-D.Z. .-2258N9442E-Base.
(A/C "C" Flight abandoned 2234N10222E).
A/C "X" Base-2258N9443E-2203N9845E-2018N10010E-D.Z-2018N10010E-
2203N9845E-2258N9443E-Base.
A/C "Q" Base-2258N9443E-2147N10106E-D.Z.-2103N10519E-2138N10050E-
2258N9443E-Base.
A/C "O" Base-2258N9448E-2244N9840E-2234N10225E-D.Z.-2258N9442E-Base.
Load:- A/C. K. Z.? W. T. Q. X. O. carried 10 Containers each.
A/C. C. & D. carried 11 containers each.
A/C. "A" carried 9 containers and 2 packages.
A/C. "G" carried 9 containers.
Opposition:- No opposition at all was encountered.
Liberator
VI KH215
"K"
F/L. K. H. Brailsford
139520
Capt. 14.45 ------ This plane took off but failed to return
from operation.
F/O. W. Russell
J.27639 (R.C.A.F.)
2nd. Pilot
P/O. L. B?lick Nav.
358 Squadron January 1945
15
178370
W/O. O'Toole, G? A.
1550901
B/A
W/O. Swain, J. R.
1183127
W/OP
Sgt. Gibbs, J. C.
1538318
W/OP
W/O. Lear, W.
1339360
A/G
P/O. R. J. Wilson
54992
A/G.
Liberator
VI KH282
"G"
F/O. M. R. Davison
54090
Capt. 14.50 06.10
F/O. J. B. Smart
171567
2nd. Pilot
P/O. H. J. A.
Johnson 165517
Nav.
Sgt. Simpson, S. A.
1673688
B/A
Weather was very poor on route with
10/10 ths cloud topped at 11,000 ft. DZ.
was located at 21.20 hrs. with clear
weather conditions. "C" type reception
was observed. After dropping all
parachutes were seen to open and fall in
the target area after which aircraft flew
SW. for three minutes then set course for
Base at 21.30.
Sgt. Gaskin, D. S.
605616
W/OP
Sgt. Robertson, A.
W. 1800541
W/OP
Sgt. Whitehouse, G.
S. 1567533
A/G
Sgt. Wallace, K? W?
1568323
A/G.
Liberator
VI KH353
"D"
F/L. H. H. Monks
120514
Capt. 14.35 05.25
Sgt. Goddard, G. D.
1585900
2nd. Pilot
W/O. Philips, F. D.
A.405603 (R.A.A.F.)
Nav.
Target was not located due to very bad
weather conditions. 500 miles away from
target 10/10 ths S. and S/C. cloud above
and below aircraft was encountered. 50
miles from target Capt. descended below
cloud only to find 10/10 ths valley fog
covering target. Did not drop load.
P/O. W. MacDonald
164203
B/A
F/S. Hill, G. M.
A.437419 (R.A.A.F.)
W/OP
F/S. Morris, E. G.
A.437437 (R.A.A.F.)
W/OP
Sgt. Taylor, D. R.
1846508
A/G
Sgt. Miles, H.
1811869
A/G.
Liberator
VI KH277
"Z"
S/L. A. D. M. Pim.
60566
Capt. 14.30 --------
F/S. Holt, J. H.
1522039
2nd. Pilot
This plane took off but failed to return
from operations. Subsequently reported
found crashed in Chin Hills near
Kalemyo. Nothing was observed by other
aircraft.
F/S. Hearne E. C.
1585199
Nav.
358 Squadron January 1945
16
F/O. E. Clarke
149915
W/OP
F/O. W. J. Wallace
1499990
B/A
F/S. Sadler, S.E.
NZ428267
(R.N.Z.A.F.)
A/G
Sgt. Gittins, G.
1458467
W/OP
Sgt. Robinson J.
976434
A/G.
Liberator
VI KH278
"W"
F/Lt. S. D. Mayhew
63404
Capt. 14.35 -------- This plane took off but failed to return
from operations. Nothing observed by
other aircraft.
W/O. Eames, N. O?
1385263
2nd. Pilot
P/O. J. Hughes
164129
Nav.
F/S. Roberts, W. G.
6562?37
B/A
Sgt. Butt, V.
1800854
W/OP
P/O. J. A. Schmidt
A434671 (R.A.A.F.)
W/OP
Sgt. Perry, J. R.
1636796
A/G
F/S. Moore, F.
1699152
A/G.
Liberator
VI KH312
"X"
F/O. K. W. Jones
175022
Capt. 15.10 05.00
F/S. Mills W. R.
1108628
2nd. Pilot
Sgt. Dunn, H.
1549512
Nav.
W/O. Ball, E? T.
581493
B/A
Poor weather was encountered with
10/10ths cloud based at 6,000 ft. On
arrival at D.Z. there was considerable
ground haze and no moon was visible.
No signal was seen and the Navigator
was not certain if he had accurately
located D.Z. Finally aircraft set course for
Base at 21.15 hrs.
P/O. L. J. H. Talbot
186538
W/OP
F/S. Dawson, H. T.
NZ.425654
(R.N.Z.A.F.)
W/OP
W/O. Richards, E. A.
1338958
A/G
W/O. Rozee, F. W.
1332037
A/G.
Liberator
VI KH167
"A"
W/Cdr. P. G. D. Farr
DFC 39936
Capt. 15.15 04.45
F/S. Banks, P. K.
1603971
2nd. Pilot
Very bad weather was experienced on
the route to the target, but a small gap in
the clouds allowed a descent and a
successful drop was made.
F/L. P. L. Ryan Nav.
358 Squadron January 1945
17
125641
F/S. Jackman, R
967248
B/A
F/O. S. J. Brace
162856
W/OP
Sgt. Thirkettle, C.
1025625
W/OP
Sgt. Stanley, J.
1894296
A/G
F/S. Wells, K.
1890474
FE/AG
F/L. P. J. Kydd
82745
A/G.
Liberator
VI KH271
"C"
S/L. S. A. Sharpe
45712
Capt. 14.20 03.25 Target was not located owing to very bad
weather conditions which necessitated
turning back to Base at 22.15 hrs.
F/O. B. J. C.
Edwards 157851
2nd. Pilot
F/S. Kirby, C. S.
1391233
Nav.
W/O. Cross, R. H.
1337426
B/A
W/O. Buchanan, J.
A. 1365057
W/OP
F/S. Noble, F. W.
A.437539 (R.A.A.F.)
W/OP
W/O. Fayle, J. W.
1357609
A/G
W/O. Seymour, E.
W. 1300922
A/G.
F/S. Fenbow, R. C.
1672757.
FE/AG
Liberator
VI KH253
"O"
P/O. J. C. Stuart
184239
Capt. 14.30 03.50
F/S. Drummond, S.
W. 1133124
2nd. Pilot
Poor weather conditions on route 9/10
ths cloud with tops 8/9000 ft. and poor
visibility. At 19.55 hrs Capt. set course for
Base after unsuccessfully trying to find
D.Z.
Sgt. Wright, J. C.
544422
B/A
F/S. Batchelor, J. H.
1316082
Nav.
Sgt. Blackburn, S. P.
1020030
W/OP
Sgt. Vickers, F. E.
1817431
W/OP
W/O. Hendry, W
1123732
A/G
P/O. F. S. Edwards
185307
A/G.
Liberator
VI KH367
"Q"
F/O. J. C. Murray
J27678
Capt. 14.40 05.40 10/10 ths cloud and showers were
encountered over most of the route. On
arrival at D.Z. at 21.10 hrs. Capt. found a
358 Squadron January 1945
18
W/O. Jones, J. H.
527725
S/Pilot
P/O. T. Kay 164079 B/A
F/O. E. P. Field
146307
Nav.
cap in cloud which he circled but no
signals were seen. Finally aircraft set
course Base at 21.30 hrs and had to land
at Jessore at 05.30 hrs. due to shortage
of fuel.
F/S. Bateman, J. E.
A.424944 (R.A.A.F.)
W/OP
F/S. Ashby, A. F.
A.424012 (R.A.A.F.)
W/OP
Sgt. Cosh, A.
653388
A/G
Sgt. Frederick, H. G.
1853345
A/G.
Liberator
VI KH350
"T"
F/O. R. W. Robinson
51159
Capt. 14.30 05.40
F/S. Bullen, R. M.
NZ425880
(R.N.Z.A.F.)
2nd. Pilot
Sgt. Sherwood, A. J.
1583263
B/A
Bad weather was encountered over most
of the route. On arrival at D.Z. at 21.00
hrs. it was found that the target was
covered by 10/10 ths cloud. Aircraft flew
around seeking a gap in the cloud but
was unsuccessful so set course for base
at 21.40 hrs. landing at Jessore at 05.40
hrs. due to shortage of fuel.
P/O. W. H. Bull
165575
Nav.
P/O. L. C. Bartlett
160606
W/OP
Sgt. Andrews, E. H.
1357596
W/OP
Sgt. Clarke, T. F.
636459
A/G
Sgt. Burling, A.
18877098
A/G.
11 aircraft were detailed to carry out this operation which was the first S.D. operation allotted to the Squadron. Only
2 sorties were successful. Three aircraft failed to return and it is not known if they were successful in their missions.
Bad weather interfered considerably and was the determining factor in the final results.